Vukasovich leads public forum on Sturgis Hospital closure, state of rural health care

On July 28, Christian Vukasovich, Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 5th District Congressional seat, held a public town hall regarding closure of Sturgis Hospital. It was held at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. About 100 attended. 

The forum was designed to inform residents and health care workers about the impact of the hospital closure and health care cuts, and included an open question-and-answer session, moderated by television journalist Janet Davies.

It drew a variety questions and comments from attendees and brought points of discussion, including residents, health care workers and former employees at the hospital.

Vukasovich did not suggest he has a direct solution to “replace” the hospital or replicate its services. His focus remains on the general state of rural health, access to care and related legislation. 

Vukasovich is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket in the Aug. 4 primary election. 

Sturgis Hospital closed June 19. The facility had been in operation for more than a century. In 2023, it was converted to a rural emergency hospital. Closure eliminated all emergency, surgical and outpatient services for the Sturgis community, leaving more than 11,000 residents without a local hospital. 

The nearest health care sites for Sturgis residents are Parkview LaGrange Hospital, Beacon Three Rivers Hospital and Insight Hospital and Medical Center in Coldwater.

Sturgis is the fourth rural hospital closure in the United States this year, the fifth in Michigan since 2005, Vukasovich said. 

“Health care should not be a privilege. it should be a basic human right,” Vukasovich said at the forum. 

In a media statement prior to the event, he stated, “We cannot allow Sturgis to become the blueprint for the future of rural Michigan. Keeping rural hospitals open is not a luxury. This is a public health and safety crisis. Every minute matters during a heart attack, stroke, farm accident or other medical emergency.”

Vukasovich was joined on the forum panel by Coral Fry, an 80-year-old native of Sturgis, and Sara White, a former nurse who currently resides in Michigan congressional district 5. 

Fry said Sturgis Hospital provided treatment for her family for generations.  

“I have Parkinson’s. The idea of having to drive who knows how many miles to get to some other hospital in an emergency is frightening. Sturgis Hospital personnel were up to date, kind and very competent. Rural hospitals closing is a real travesty in this country … How many potential residents will choose not to move to this area because there is no hospital?”

Maria Behr, president of Three Rivers Health, was among those who spoke at the forum. She said the facility’s patient-flow has nearly doubled since the Sturgis closure. 

TR Health joined Beacon Health System in 2021. 

One person asked if there’s a possibility Beacon could consider purchasing Sturgis Hospital and reviving it. 

“Fifteen years ago, Beacon took hard look at Sturgis Hospital, with recommendations for what needed to happen for Beacon to come in and do acquisition, and the numbers wouldn’t work,” Behr said. 

Beacon made an assessment again “a couple of years ago,” and reached a similar conclusion, Behr said. 

Stacy Tessman, who worked at the hospital for nearly three decades, described irregularities with the billing process and questionable management and budgeting principles. 

Vukasovich said other rural hospitals in southern Michigan face a threat similar to what occurred in Sturgis.

“The lesson from Sturgis is clear: When health care funding is cut, rural communities pay the price,” Vukasovich said. “These aren’t numbers on a spreadsheet. They are emergency rooms, health care workers, and families suddenly forced to travel farther for lifesaving care, not to mention the impact on a small town economy. Together, we can, and must, change this.”